Monday, March 21, 2016

I've been busy trying to get ready for a trip down to the desert for the spring bloom. The Little House on the Highway needed a good cleaning after the long winter and I found a few issues that needed attending to and repaired. Sinbad is doing well and its been way too long since our last road trip but we cannot leave quite yet. I am just waiting for some parts to arrive. Meanwhile I show pictures from previous road trips to the desert as I haven't been out hiking all this past week.

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

A lot of you liked my recent post Old Man on Bench so I searched and finally found a photo done many years ago. I remember taking quite a few images before finally getting myself into position in time after scrambling over the rocks. In the end I was pleased with the result and capturing the gulls circling about was pure dumb luck as was too the sun rays.

The real significance of this photo for me is the fact I had recently retired. I rode my motorcycle out to the coast one weekday. You can see my Jetboil stove which I had just brewed a cup of tea.

I wanted to capture the moment of feeling truly free for the first time in my life.

I was going to entitle this post Old Man by the Sea but changed it for I didn't feel old then.
Taken at Bodega Bay, California

Friday, March 4, 2016

This is starting to get too easy now as I am seeing coyotes quite often. They are no doubt the same individuals and rodent hunting must be good in these meadows. I could have probably got more footage of him except for these two women coming up from behind on the trail. I could hear them yakin' away from a long distance away. By the time they reached me the coyote was gone. I said to them "Oh, you just missed a coyote. He was right over there then he heard you coming and left (hint, hint). If you continue on along the lake you might be able to see him."

They thanked me and continued on with their walkin' and talkin'.
Listen closely at the end and you can hear the women coming.

There is a Hiker's Group in the adult community I live in. Early on when we moved here I joined the club and went on a hike thinking this would be a nice group to get involved in among the dozens of clubs and groups the village has. Off we went and off they went yakkity yaking, the entire time. Add to that the chorus of walking sticks clic-clacking along and I knew this wasn't for me. How on earth are they ever going to enjoy Nature scaring away every living thing long before they arrive?

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Yesterday I showcased one of my favorite areas in Annadel State Park. Well yesterday morning I was jogging that same trail when I saw another coyote, then nearby a second one...perhaps its mate. Wow I thought as I stood there admiring them. I've never seen two together. After a few minutes here comes a third coyote out from the Live Oak trees to my left! Three! I think it may have been an offspring almost fully grown. And of course since I was running (I should say jogging at my advanced age) I had NO camera with me. So you'll just have to take my word for it.